Examines what it means to be "an American male" and how masculinity has been and is constructed by our culture. Analyzes, through examples taken from a range of written and visual texts, the contemporary American male as he seeks to understand and to place himself within a dynamically evolving society, one, it seems, that is inducing, at increasing rates, suicide, homicide, substance abuse, sports injuries, work-related stress, heart attacks and failure at relationships. Explores diverse expressions of masculinity across the lifespan of the individual and in terms of race, class, wealth and sexual orientation. Springs. (SSDI)